Growing up

It seems like in the last few months, I have done a substantial amount of growing up. I feel as if I am a very different person, from 3 months ago, not to even mention 9 months ago before the tour, or a year ago. I'm thinking about buying a house, I'm doing some serious introspection, to attempt to improve my self, I've found my self reading a lot more, and avoiding watching tv. I have been finding my self being very worried about things like whether or not I will have insurance for the last half of next year, and/or what it will cost me. Also, trying to get on my own car insurance to try to lower my costs to make my budget more flexible. I have a serious desire to begin eating healthier, and lose some of this horrible belly fat.

Its a very strange feeling, having hit this point where I really do realize that I'm not a kid any more and I do have to make major life changes that may affect the rest of my life.

Gay Marriage

Why can't people just let people believe what they want and leave other peoples beliefs alone. If two gay individuals want to be married, why does it matter to a straight couple whether or not gays are married? The whole "well marriage is between a man and a woman" thing is so feeble. If you believe that, then do go marrying some one of the same gender. If you want to marry some one of the same gender, I say go to it. Lets just let people live their lives and not worry so much about what other people do in their personal lives. Focus on your self and we will all be a little better off.....

--J.

Prop guns can kill too people!

Today I was sent a couple of links (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,452811,00.html and http://www.sltrib.com/ci_10999643) to a story about a 17 year old in Utah who accidentally shot himself with a blank gun. While real prop guns are set up so that bullets are not supposed to be able to leave the barrel, they still release a gas discharge that is powerful enough to do major damage to body parts and also kill some one in some cases. There is a reason why you only put prop gun in the hands of trained professionals. Because even though there are freak accidents, trained professionals know how to limit the chances of said accidents from occurring. The fact that in this case the young man died of head injuries, leads me to believe he was not following the strict safety guidelines one should follow in the use of prop weapons. Especially, since the first thing I was taught was never to point a gun(prop or otherwise) at some one unless I actually was prepared to kill that individual. There is no reason the gun should have been close enough to his head to have killed him, in my opinion, but as I was not present and do not know the details, I can only speculate at this time.

Please, anyone out there listening! When dealing with weapons for theatre, please hire a trained professional to over see the use of the weapons. Do not intrust this duty to an untrained person no matter how intelligent they may seem!

20 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Every Sunday

What did I learn last week? – I've spent time learning that I want to be politically active. That I want to attempt to make a difference in my life and maybe the life of some one else, for the better that is.

What was my greatest accomplishment over the past week? – I wrote a letter to President-elect Obama, and asked him to spell out his opinions and plans for labour(organized and unorganized) in the U.S. and around the world. Also asking him to spell out his thoughts on certain changes to the NLRB under the Bush admin.

Which moment from last week was the most memorable and why? – I do not know. I think I have really enjoyed the response to the cake I baked for the cast and crew here.

What’s the #1 thing I need to accomplish this week? – Go to the gym at least 3 times next week. I need to get my self out of this slump of just sitting around the hotel room, slacking, and start working on improving my semi-flabby body.

What can I do right now to make the week less stressful? – I think the best thing I can do is start taking better care of my self, and start concentrating on being a better me, and worrying less about things that I should not worry so much about.

What have I struggled with in the past that might also affect the upcoming week? –

What was last week’s biggest time sink? – Spending a lot of time playing video games. I need to at least move to reading books instead of playing video games all day long. If not getting my self out of the hotel and exploring some.

Am I carrying any excess baggage into the week that can be dropped? – I think I have been carrying a large amount of baggage for some time. Its time for me to just let the past be the past and move on, learn from my mistakes but leave them behind and not obsess over them. Not saying its going to be an easy, instant thing, just saying its something I need to do.

What have I been avoiding that needs to get done? – I have been avoiding both working out, and bettering my mind by studying and teaching my self new things and that needs to halt. Its time to become a better me, mentally and physically.

What opportunities are still on the table? – Obviously I have lots of opportunities when I get back home. Hopefully jobs will continue to flow as they always have. I hope to have some other opportunities open up here shortly. Also I have a fairly major opportunity open up, of starting my own audio company. Start out renting smaller pieces of gear that I will begin picking up here and there, and eventually put together a full audio system, and start a full blow audio company.

Is there anyone I’ve been meaning to talk to? – Yes lots of people, I do not even know where to begin.... I will be beginning to address this once I get back home.

Is there anyone that deserves a big ‘Thank You’? –

How can I help someone else this coming week? –

What are my top 3 goals for the next 3 years? – Buying a place to live, putting together a little musical group(even if it is just a few people I just kind of riff with), Put my self into a situation where I will end up with a house audio job in a venue.

Have any of my recent actions moved me closer to my goals? – Going out on this tour has really allowed me to save some money(thus putting me closer to buying a place), and has created a major resume piece(thus making it that much easier to have the cred's to get a house job). I have not played my drums in 6+ months so perhaps that has hindered the 2nd goal, but who knows.

What’s the next step for each goal? –

What am I looking forward to during the upcoming week? –

What are my fears? – Spiders........yes I am afraid of spiders, but my biggest fear is a fear of failure.

What am I most grateful for? –

If I knew I only had one week to live, who would I spend my time with? – There are so many people I would want to spend time with. I enjoy hanging out with my friends a whole lot, and well I would have to see my family as much as possible. I would want it to not be a sad time, I would rather go out having fun with friends and family than be down about having to die...

Ok enough for now, Ill fill in the rest later.

--J.

It might be time for a "New 'New Deal'"

We as a country have made some good baby steps towards affecting some change, hopefully for the better. Unfortunately we are not there yet. While we may have elected a Democratic majority in the U.S. government, but we can not stop there. We must continue to keep the pressure on our various members of government, to push through bills that will benefit society as a whole.
We are currently in a very labour hostile situation in both this country and the world as a whole. If we as a country do not take steps to reclaim jobs in the U.S., we will soon fall into an even deeper hole than we are in, in our current financial crisis. We must take action to solidify the job markets in the U.S. If we do not create new jobs, in the manufacturing, high tech and alternative energy markets, we shall fall behind other countries, both technologically, and financially. We have reached a cross roads where we need to re instill a pride in the phrase "Made in the U.S.A." Other countries will gladly take our money and add them to their overseas profits, but with no incentive to reinvest money in the U.S., all we accomplish is to bolster the economy of foreign countries. While I do not believe it is an appropriate move to move to a cloistered mentality, I think that the way that the country has basically made it an incentive to move jobs over seas, has really hurt the American society as a whole.

I call upon all who may read this post, and ask you to think, have you ever checked a label before buying something to see where it was made? Have you ever investigated to see if something was union made before you bought it? Perhaps in the uncertain economic time it is time to start looking at our shopping purchases with our consciouses . Perhaps now it is time to be proud to buy American, and look to support companies who still are American based. So many companies have outsourced their labour forces to off shore factories, that
still maintain head offices here in the States. It is time to send those companies a message, and that message is that we as Americans are a proud people, and that we support our country in more that just the ways the Right says we should. That we support our country's labour force, and finances as well!

So in conclusion, this holiday season that we are very rapidly approaching, think about the social impact of what you are buying. Perhaps we have reached a point in our societal life-span where it is time to not just buy items because they are the newest hot flashy thing, but to be more conservative with our spending and concentrate on buying from companies that support the American way of life, that are proud to be a part of our great country and want to see this country succeed.

--J.

Jamiroquai

I had not listened to this particular band since probably the early '90s, but the other week I stubled across them via the internet. I really do like them, and am kind of disappointed that they did not get too much exposure in the U.S. They are a lot of fun and I think you should check them out if you have not heard them before or recently. It speaks to my "alt. Disco" kick that I have been on.

DC

So I know some of you know about this, but Ill be back in DC for about a day and a half starting the 29th and flying back up to boston on the 30th of this month. So lets meet up and have a drink, or something. Sounds like there are plans to go to the Irish Channel for a few on the evening of the 29th. Oh and maybe Im going to force a certain some one to go get Thai food with me in Arlington if anyone wants to come along im sure that would be ok.

My intimate encounter with a cabbies bumper...

I had a wonderful morning. I had a wonderfully intimate encounter with a cabbies bumper here in boston. It decided that carressing my leg would be wonderful, and it threw me down in a passionate fit, right onto the hard asfault, and right into a wonderfully huge puddle. You know That cabbie just got me twice as wet as I was already, since it was raining and all.


I love that people seem to pay attention to other people on the road. Luckily my bike was not damaged, and I have come out just with a slight limp for now.

--J

Holy crap....I have a blog?!

So I realize that everyone has given up on reading my blog cause I haven't been posting, but you know Ive had a few things that were a little more important...(drinking my face off, shaving my head, dealing with some emotional issues that aren't any where near resolved and probably wont be till I get back to DC in March, or maybe B-more in late November early December?).

So, big update, I know the show mix now, although I haven't mixed in a few weeks because of console issues for about 2 weeks, but we think we have fixed it now. The money is pretty good, and we are all starting to get into a good groove. Its been pretty fun so far, and its very strange, the carpenters and the audio techs are really close and hang out all the time........I don't get it, Ive never experienced this phenomenon before.... Hey, Ill take it!

More later, but for now cues then drinks with Liz Crosby who is here in Seattle....

First dress

So far we have been going fairly smoothly. I'm sitting here waiting for it to be time for us to start our first dress rehearsal(we have done a number of dress rehearsals, but this is the first real one...), and we have an invited audience for this one, so pressure ramps up a bit more now. Although I must say with how happy the designers seem to be, it wont be so bad. Frankly, Im more worried about having to learn the out front track, because the back stage stuff is almost second nature to me now, and I've only been doing it a couple of days.

The cast and crew all seem to be very nice, which is good. I'm trying to figure out exactly how to break the cast/crew barrier on this show, I'm sure it will come with a little bit of time, but Les Mis was so much easier because I would join the cast hackey sack game on stage before places call. Now I'm a bit busy at top of show and well they don't seem to be into the pre-show anything other than stretching and warming up and such. I don't blame them, it is a fairly dance heavy show and all..... If I had to move as much for as long as they do, especially in this thin air situation we are in, I wouldn't want to do much pre-show either.

At this point I'm feeling good, but again I fear the actual having to mix the show. Steve keeps trying to tell me its an easy show to mix, but I don't know what to think, and I wont know until I'm out there in the fray really. Steve wants me to start training with him soon, although I don't think that they have me scheduled to start learning the show till San Francisco or something. Either way, I'm sure I'll do fine, I just need to buckle down and practice and pay attention. This isnt one of my local little shows with 8 cast members for 300 people. This is a Broadway musical with 38 wireless mics and a full pit band to rooms of 2000+. I suppose we shall see.....

Tech Rehearsal 2

So we are mid tech rehearsal number 2. Everything seems to be going smoothly, although we have yet to introduce the element of the full live band. But the hard part, a.k.a. the 30 something wireless mics going on and off stage at various times seem to be acting in a good manner. Hopefully these calm waters will remain for the remainder of my time on the tour.


Sorry for the lack of consistent posts, Ive been just a little busy, and have been crashing very shortly after I return to my hotel room. Hopefully from here on out I will manage to post more updates.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow we load in.

Also I get to meet the rest of the crew, and well a bunch of other people I need to know.

Im a little bit nervous, but then who wouldn't be. I kind of want to begin setting in the schedule for normal load ins, but as Steve put it, we cant really do that, because it isnt a normal load in in the least bit.

Well, we shall see.....

And the Truck is off....

So we loaded the truck.

And the pack is almost the whole size of the 52' truck. Now we only went 2 boxes high on anything we stacked, and we wont be stacking a whole lot, just our sammies, when we are all official and such. We have all this extra production gear that had to ride in this pack. So now its a few days off. We are flying to Denver tomorrow, and then Ill get to wander the city a bit.

I'm kind of relieved that we are free from the shop, but I'm starting to worry about the over all size of the package, and my day to day tasks. I'm sure I'll be fine, but I'm still worried....

Down time

So it seems that I am hating the down time we have had yesterday and today. I find my self being incredibly bored. Yesterday I found my self wandering through New Rochelle and Pelham. Then I went and saw a movie. Yesterday wasn't all unproductive. I managed to go do my laundry which was good.

There is soo little to do here in New Rochelle. And it is 30 mins. each way to get to NYC proper, so that is a bit of a hassle, and if I do that I need to out line a plan of action for the day, and I'm not sure its worth it just to be stuck down town all day, but we will see, if I have another long day to my self.

Hopefully, tomorrow we will get the equipment we still need, we are getting really close as long as we can get the towers and speakers on Monday, and maybe the madis....


--J.Foley

First week finished

So we have now finished the first week of work. So far we seem like we have gotten a lot done, but at the same time we have yet to receive any speakers, towers, or console.... All of which was supposed to arrive yesterday, and now has been postponed till Monday. It is a little disconcerting that such major pieces are constantly being "bumped back" on the arrival schedule. In the end we will hopefully be just fine. Its just the known unknowns, if you know what I mean.

We had a sort of major scare, that has actually put the fear of death in all the audio techs on Broadway and the road who are using the Digico D5T. Over all its a great console, but none of the shows have spare Madi cages with them. Well, "In the Heights" had been requesting a spare cage for some time (the only show to request it until yesterday...) and then at 745pm before an 8pm show they cant get the Madi cage in the pit to boot up....... It straight up died, and they were forced to cancel that nights show. Now every show on Broadway wants a spare cage, and so does every tour. That is no small order, not only do they most likely have to fly a bunch of cages over from the UK, but that is going to cost a fair amount per show to buy the cages....


Although the price that will be paid per cage is minuscule in comparison to the price paid to cancel a show. They had to pay the entire cast, crew, and band, plus refunding tickets, that cant be a small hit.... But in the future, people will be more prepared for this sort of occurence, and will be able to salvage shows. It is unfortunate, but it is a possibility with all these component digital systems. They will continue to improve them, but it wont happen immediately.

The idea just scares the cripes out of me, and, well, all the audio professionals out there I'm sure.

--J.Foley

NYC, well sort of....

So I flew in to Laguardia Airport, In NYC, but our hotel is in New Rochelle, and the shop is in Mt. Vernon, which I would suppose are suburbs of the city proper. Right up the street is one of the many pieces of overpriced land owned by Donald trump. It looks nice I suppose, but I cant imagine how much people are paying to live there. I doubt it is worth the price.

I must say so far everything has been really quite over priced, even compared to DC.

So far we are doing pretty well in the shop, although I have to do some back pedaling tomorrow to fix a couple of simple ergonomic errors from day one. I redesigned the centre cluster, and how it travels and was met with a lot of support from both the design team and the touring crew as well as the build crew. That has been a boost to my confidence. Also that fact that Steve seems to like how I build amp racks is good. My biggest fear as of right now is the fact that we are often getting to the point where we run out of things to do each day. Mostly this is based on our reliance on both PRG to deliver gear to us as it becomes available for our uses, and for the groups who are building out speaker towers and centre cluster mounts. Although if they show up this week we will be in good shape before we have to ship out on Friday the 18th.


Other than the uncertainty, so far every thing seems to be going well.

More news when it comes....

Good Moring Arlington! Good Bye Arlington....

Well, its official, I hop on a plane at 12 noon and head to NYC. I'm in my last few hours in town before I embark on my next big adventure. Its kind of exciting, its kind of terrifying, and I'm trying to down play it to just being work so that I don't get to crazy about it. All in all, it should be quite an adventure, with many ups and downs, the good times and the bad, and when it all comes down to it, I will be a better person because of it. Hope to see you or hear from you some time soon.....

Till next time.
--J.Foley

Tour Schedule

What follows is a tentative tour schedule including our build.

03.31.08-04.18.08 New York City
04.18.08-05.18.08 Denver, Colorado
05.19.08-07.06.08 Los Angeles, California
07.07.08-07.27.08 San Francisco, California
07.28.08-08.03.08 Portland, Oregon
08.04.08-08.10.08 Seattle, Washington
08.11.08-08.17.08 San Diego, California
08.18.08-08.31.08 Costa Mesa, California
09.01.08-09.07.08 Tempe, Arizona
09.08.08-10.12.08 Boston, Mass.
10.13.08-10.26.08 Cleveland, Ohio
10.27.08-11.30.08 Toronto, Canada
12.01.08-12.14.08 Baltimore, Maryland
12.15.08-01.04.09 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
01.05.09-01.11.09 Raleigh, North Carolina
01.12.08-02.01.09 Detroit, Michigan
02.02.09-02.08.09 Tampa, Florida
02.09.09-02.15.09 Orlando, Florida
02.16.09-03.01.09 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
03.02.09-03.08.09 Atlanta, Georgia
03.09.09-03.22.09 Washington D.C.
03.23.09-03.29.09 Hartford, Conn.
03.30.09-04.05.09 Providence, RI
04.06.09-04.12.09 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
04.13.09-05.03.09 Chicago, Illinois
05.04.09-05.10.09 Buffalo, New York
05.11.09-05.24.09 St. Louis, Missouri
05.25.09-06.07.09 Cincinnati, Ohio
06.08.09-06.14.09 Columbus, Ohio
06.15.09-06.21.09 Minneapolis, Minnesota
06.22.09-06.28.09 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
06.29.09-07.05.09 Lay off
07.06.09-07.12.09 Dallas, Texas

So there is the schedule so far. Some of it may change, and
it also may be extended. We shall see.....

Vacation and beyond

Today I leave for my mini-vacation before I head out on the tour. Its going to be nice, its been a very long time since I got away from Arlington and DC and wasn't working. I'm just going to hang out and read, maybe wander around on some of the hiking trails near by. A couple of people have said they may come out to join me for a day or two here and there, which will be nice, i always enjoy company.

Then I'll be back in town for a couple of days and then whoosh Im gone on another whirlwind adventure. I can't say I'm not a little bit frightened, but it is a whole new thing for me to actually be out for an undefined length of time. Frankly, I think being a little bit scared is a normal feeling, and if I wasn't scared I would be setting my self up to fall, and hard. The other thing is I feel like I didn't have to fight for it at all, it just fell into place, which feels kind of weird to me. I feel like I don't deserve it because I didn't work hard enough to get it, but it is kind of the culmination of the last 9ish years of working in the field I love, and over all its going to be a great experience. I've got a few plans for while I'm out. Plus I have also been thinking about doing one of those online college degree courses while I'm out to try to get that ever so important little piece of paper. Which, coupled with the tour on my resume, would look very good for the next time I go and try to get a job.

Well, these are all possibilities, and I have a great big expanse of time coming up to pursue all the options. Hopefully things turn out well.

--Joe

Huzzah for early birthday presents!

So I got an iPhone for my birthday.

One more step towards the road, setting up the great iCal and address book on both the iPhone and lappy.

It's finally Official...

Today I got the call from Acme, Officially hiring me to leave on tour with A Chorus Line.

Im at work but celebration is to be had shortly!

--Foley

Its been a second...

Since I last posted. For those who dont know, it sounds like I did in fact get hired to go out with A Chorus Line starting in mid-march. Im pretty excited. Let me know if you wanna grab a drink with me on the road, or perhaps want to come hang out with me in some city. Ill almost always have an extra bed in my hotel.

I feel kind of torn.
I want to keep my word, and I also dont want to make situations weird....

I have so many things bottled up inside of me. I just want to start telling people these things. So many things I wish I didn't know, both personal and about other people. There are two main items that are on my mind, one about things out of my control, and the other about a very good friend of mine. How d I continue to hold this all in and prevent leaking out some ones major life change, and at the same time prevent some one from potentially being weirded out?

I think I could handle one of the two of these, but I don't know about the both of them...and I certainly cant make a move on either until the individuals make a move them selfs.

I guess I'll just have to deal...

--Foley

Up in the Air (or Mr. Toad's Wild Ride)

So here we are, in our first run through, and we have a live school audience... Pre-show we had a few issues, but at this point I believe things are running smoothly. I'm headed to New York City on Friday the 15th. Should be a lot of fun, and hopefully worth the money I'm spending. These kids are thoroughly amused by the few interspersed "curse words." Everyone involved in this production generally seems nice to me, but I have definitely experienced some hostility towards other members of the production, cast, crew, etc. It really is sad that there has to be such hostility, but we are all quite exhausted, more so the crew than the cast, but that is because the cast has put in fewer hours than us. Still no reason for any of us to be snippy. Matter of fact, I was told that some day "my cheery, upbeat attitude may get me beaten," still I feel it is better to attempt to maintain high spirits. Wont let anyone keep me down.

--Foley

Transitions from one gig to another..

These weeks have truly been interesting. I have apparently made friends with more coworkers, whom I had previously thought to only have work relationships with. On top of all of that, I have been in ordinarily busy with work, which while surprising, is much desired. This week we begin the Japanese Festival at the Kennedy Center. Starting off with a week in the Family Theatre, doing a World Premiere musical. This play will have 5 days of production time
, and 4 days of shows. It is definitely too large for the space, but should be pulled off even with the limitations of the space and the incredibly short run/production time....

--Foley

Marti Gras witht he Mystik Krewe....

I am exhausted.....On my 4th call in 24 hours, and as I sit here behind my short circuiting spotlight, that I will probably almost never use, beyond a "all hands ballyhoo cue."
From my perch I can barely see anything other than one tiny plot directly below my position. I am very glad to not have to do very much because of my extreme exhaustion. I don't have a day off until Tuesday, and I may very well spend it passed out on all sorts of sleep aids.

In the end it is going to pay my way to New York City for this interview. I may even make a weekend out of it(that was scrapped, doing the day up in NYC). Depending of course on whether or not I can coheres some of my New York people to pop out for good times. I really do have a very good feeling about this interview, and hope that it works out.

--Foley

Next few posts

The next few posts are a series of posts written at work, while running one of many shows in the last few weeks. No guarantees on the quality of the posts, but I thought I'd share them.

--Foley

Need something from all of you....

Hey all, just trying to expand my music collection, let me know if you know an artist I should check out.

Thanks!

Not that Im complaining...

Wow, it just doesnt seem to stop now....

yesterday was a 16 earned hours day.... granted I only worked 9, but wow, its such a bounce back from earlier this month. The last week and this one have been quite odd for January I think.

I had written a big long post while sitting behind my spot light the other night, but unless I did it up and it strikes me as having some sort of merit I doubt I'll post it.

Oh and everyone, lets get out there and try to help the people at the Washington Post who are attempting to organize with the Communication Workers of America(CWA). They are fighting to get better conditions, it is a noble cause!

NYC

Sounds like Im heading to NYC for a final interview with Acme Sound Partners. It should be alot of fun. Then off to the road a short time after.

People should come to my going away party when I throw it.

No Country for Old Men

I don't know.....


I'm confused.....

and ow why would any one work on their own bodies surgically, really!

Abortion

Hey everyone, Ive got a solution to one of todays big debates.

All you pro lifer's, Don't have abortions, and keep it to your self.

All you pro choicer's, Have abortions if you feel its necessary, and keep it to your self.

Is that really all that hard? Why do people feel that its important to force others to believe the way they believe? Do what you believe and let others do what they believe, as long as your beliefs don't infringe upon my right to have my beliefs Im happy to hear you have beliefs, I just don't wanna know what they are.

Battles-Mirrored

Album: Mirrored
Band: Battles
Tracks: 11
Top Single: Atlas

This album is the result of 4 gentlemen from different musical backgrounds coming together to attempt to generate a sound unlike what most have heard prior to. Driven by the thunderous pulse of John Stanier (drums; ex Helmet/Tomahawk), and punctuated by the live vocal samplings of Tyondai Braxton (vocals, guitar, keys; Son of Anthony Braxton), this experimental rock album certainly is a must have for any music lover.

Battles is unique, when compared to similarly processed music, in the fact that the drums remain almost untouched by the digitizing that the remainder of the band undertakes, giving the band a very a very organic feel, even with the ability for Stanier's ability to play with almost drum machine like precision.

With out seeing this group live, I would have almost been convinced that this music was solely the work of studio programming, because of how tight, and in sync with each other Battles plays. It is truly a sight to see and hear, when Battles plays live, the live elements being blended with sampled pieces (which are created on the spot!) is absolutely masterful.

One thing I would like to see come from this group is a remixing of their music done into a surround sound version. Battles really has knocked it out of the park with this offering!

The road and reviews....

So, the basic Idea for this blog is to have some way to jot down my thoughts while Im on the road, and to try to post reviews of movies, music and various other forms of media. Could be interesting, or could be completely bland.


Check back for more coming up soon......